Page 311 - Health Medical Pharma
New gene therapy via skin can combat cocaine addiction
Scientists have developed a novel approach using skin cell-based gene therapy to stifle the desire for cocaine and to protect against an overdose.
Almirall gets European Commission approval for psoriasis drug: Sun Pharma
Sun Pharma Tuesday said Spanish firm Almirall has received approval from the European Commission (EC) for Ilumetri, a drug used for treating psoriasis. In July 2016, Sun Pharma out-licensed Ilumetri (tildrakizumab) to Almirall, for the development and commercialisation of the product in Europe. "As indicated by Almirall, rollout of Ilumetri in Europe will start in the next few weeks," Sun Pharma said in a statement. Psoriasis is a chronic immune disease that appears on the skin. It affects an estimated 7.8 million adults in Europe and around 125 million people worldwide. Shares of the Mumbai-based company today ended 0.60 per cent up at Rs 642.30 on BSE.
AI can identify lung cancer type
A new artificial intelligence (AI) system can accurately identify lung cancer types by analysing patients' tumours, scientists say. The system, described in the journal Nature Medicine, could distinguish with 97 per cent accuracy between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma -- two lung cancer types that experienced pathologists at times struggle to parse without confirmatory tests. "Our study provides strong evidence that an AI approach will be able to instantly determine cancer subtype and mutational profile to get patients started on targeted therapies sooner," said Aristotelis Tsirigos, an associate professor at New York University (NYU) in the US. The AI tool was also able to determine whether abnormal versions of 6 genes linked to lung cancer -- including EGFR, KRAS, and TP53 -- were present in cells, with an accuracy that ranged from 73 to 86 per cent depending on the gene. Such genetic changes or mutations often cause the abnormal growth seen in cancer, but can also ...
Over 500 new genes linked to blood pressure identified
Scientists have discovered 500 new gene regions that influence people's blood pressure -- a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease -- after analysing data from over a million participants. The findings, published in Nature Genetics, more than triple the number of blood pressure gene regions to over 1,000 and means that almost a third of the estimated heritability for blood pressure is now explained. The study, led by Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London in the UK, reports a strong role of these genes, not only in blood vessels, but also within the adrenal glands above the kidney, and in body fat. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease and was responsible for an estimated 7.8 million deaths worldwide in 2015. While lifestyle risk factors are relatively well-known and include obesity, smoking, alcohol and high salt-intake, high blood pressure is also highly heritable through genetics. Prior to this study however, the ...
This AI system can specify lung cancer types
Researchers have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system that can analyse images of patients' lung tumours, specify cancer types and even identify altered genes driving abnormal cell growth.
Strides Pharma gets gets 3 observations from USFDA for Bangalore plant
Drug firm Strides Pharma Science Tuesday said the US health regulator has issued three observations after inspecting its formulations facility in Bangalore. "The formulations facility in Bangalore recently underwent pre-approval product inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration(USFDA). The inspection ended on August 25, 2018 and the company has been issued a Form 483 with 3 observations," Strides Pharma Science said in a regulatory filing. The company believes that the observations are not material in nature and have already responded to the USFDA, it added. It has recently received a product approval for Potassium Chloride extended release tablets from the facility, the company said. As per the USFDA, a Form 483 is issued to a firm's management at the conclusion of an inspection when investigator has observed any conditions that in its judgment may constitute violations of the Food Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act and related Acts. It notifies the company's management of ...
Over 500 new genes linked to blood pressure identified
Scientists have identified over 500 new gene regions that influence people's blood pressure -- a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease.
Muscle relaxants up respiratory complications: Study
Muscle relaxants -- a necessary part of anaesthesia during certain major operations -- may cause respiratory complications, a study has found. Anaesthetics make patients unconscious during an operation and prevent them from feeling pain. Muscles, however, are not paralysed by these drugs and may still move. "To prevent this, we also use muscle relaxants or, more precisely, neuromuscular blocking agents," said Manfred Blobner, an anesthesiologist at University of Munich (TUM) in Germany. "These drugs are particularly needed when operating on a patient's chest or abdomen. They are also used to protect the vocal cords from injury when a tube is placed in the airway to allow artificial ventilation," said Blobner. The study, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, confirms that the use of neuromuscular blockers during general anaesthesia is linked to a significantly increased risk of several respiratory complications after surgery. The most common complications involving the ...
Silicone breast implants up risk of stillbirth, cancer
Silicone breast implants may increase the likelihood of stillbirth by over four times, and put women at higher risk of developing cancer and several rare disorders, a study warns. The elevated risks included three conditions classified as autoimmune or rheumatologic disorders: Sjogren's syndrome, with a risk about eight times higher than in the general population; scleroderma, a seven-fold increase in risk; and rheumatoid arthritis, about a six-fold increase in risk. "We are reporting an analysis of the largest prospective study to date on silicone breast implant safety," said Mark W Clemens, from University of Texas in the US. "This data gives women important safety information about silicone breast implants to have real expectations and to help them choose what is right for them," said Clemens. In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration approved silicone gel-filled implants from two manufacturers, stipulating that the manufacturers conduct large postapproval studies (LPAS) to ...
Kashmir varsity organises blood donation camp
A blood donation camp was recently organised in the University of Kashmir. The camp was also aimed to spread awareness about importance of blood donation as people in Kashmir often face hardship in getting blood during emergency.The camp was organised in association with the Red Ribbon Club, Department of Student's Welfare of the university, Jammu and Kashmir State Aids Control Society and the Department of Health and Medical Education.Students from various departments of the university participated in large number in the camp. A donor told ANI, "Donating blood is the best gift one can give someone. We feel proud to be part of this camp. Such type of camps should be held often so that more people can donate for the great cause."Appreciating holding of such blood donation camps, the university authorities said that the initiative would help hospitals and benefit people in need.
Study reports risk of rare adverse outcomes from breast implants
According to a study, silicone breast implants could increase the risk of several rare adverse outcomes in women."We are reporting an analysis of the largest prospective study to date on silicone breast implant safety," commented Mark W. Clemens of The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston."We are sharing critical information on complication rates and rare associations with systemic harms. This data gives women important safety information about silicone breast implants to have real expectations and to help them choose what is right for them," added Clemens.Women receiving silicone implants were at increased risk of several rare harms compared to the general population. The elevated risks included three conditions classified as autoimmune or rheumatologic disorders: Sjogren's syndrome, with a risk about eight times higher than in the general population; scleroderma, a seven-fold increase in risk; and rheumatoid arthritis, about a six-fold increase in risk."These ...
Muscle relaxants may increase respiratory complications risk
Usage of muscle relaxants -- a necessary part of anaesthesia during certain major operations -- may increase the risk of respiratory complications after surgery, a new study has found.
Aggravated PMS symptoms may indicate undiagnosed STI: Study
Women who have undiagnosed sexually transmitted infections may be at greater risk of experiencing negative premenstrual symptoms (PMS), such as headaches, cramps and sadness, an Oxford study has found. Despite being known to have an anti-social effect on women's lives, altering their moods, energy levels, eating habits and even sex drive, periods are not recognised as a scientific factor in the study of female health. However, some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are asymptomatic, and can lead to fertility issues. For instance 70 per cent of people diagnosed with Chlamydia are unaware of it. The researchers from Oxford University in the US said that reproductive health needs to be taken more seriously by both the scientific community and women in general. "Not understanding or even acknowledging that PMS is more than 'women's raging hormones' but rather the by-product of cyclical immunity makes it harder to identify diseases and can even delay diagnosis of infections such as ...
Aurobindo Pharma gets nod from South African health authority for HIV drug
Aurobindo Pharma Tuesday said it has received approval from the South African health authority to market its Dolutegravir, Lamivudine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (DLT) tablets, the first-line regimen for HIV patients as per latest WHO guidelines. The Hyderabad-based drug firm said it has received approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and is now among the first few companies which have received nod for this product. "This approval demonstrates our commitment towards HIV patients and enables the company to participate in South African HIV tender as well as launch in private market," Aurobindo Pharma said in a statement. The approval further strengthens the company's HIV product basket in South Africa, which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of patients, it added. Prior to SAHPRA's approval, Aurobindo has received tentative approval for the drug from US Food and Drug Administration and launched in Sub-Saharan African ...
Women with undiagnosed STIs at greater risk of negative PMS symptoms
Undiagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STI) can increase negative premenstrual symptoms (PMS) in women, according to a study.Despite being known to have an anti-social effect on women's lives, altering their moods, energy levels, eating habits and even sex drive, periods are not recognised as a scientific factor in the study of female health.However, since some STI infections are asymptomatic, for instance 70 percent of people diagnosed with Chlamydia are unware of it, and can lead to fertility issues, the study authors caution that these results are significant, and that reproductive health needs to be taken more seriously by both the scientific community and women in general.Lead author Dr Alexandra Alvergne of Oxford University, said: "Even now, when I write a research application on PMS, I still think 'will this be taken seriously?' that needs to change. Not understanding or even acknowledging that PMS is more than 'women's raging hormones' but rather, the by-product of ...
Top Maha IAS officer in ICU after fracturing ribs
Maharashtra's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sunil Porwal has been admitted to a hospital here after he suffered injuries to his ribs and lungs due to a fall in a washroom, doctors attending him said Tuesday. Porwal, 59, is undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Bombay Hospital and his condition is stable, Dr Gautam Bhansali, who is treating the senior IAS officer, told PTI. Porwal was on a visit to Mahabaleshwar hill station in Maharashtra's Satara district, located around 275 km from here, with his family when slipped and fell in a washroom in the wee hours of Sunday, said another senior doctor, who is part of the team treating the bureaucrat. "He suffered chest injury in the incident. His family members gave him pain killers to subside the pain. While he was returning to Mumbai, the pain became unbearable and his family contacted us," the doctor said. Porwal, a 1983-batch IAS officer, was immediately asked to get an X-Ray done at a hospital in
Child health conditions improving in India but more budget needed to get rid of deaths: Bill Gates
Child health is improving in India year by year but both the central and the state governments need to invest more money to get rid of the deaths and improve the nutrition, Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates said Tuesday. He said the vaccine coverage rates have gone up a lot in India and new vaccines which are brought in would have a big impact. "Well, definitely, year by year, child health in India is improving. And the Indian government and a lot of state leaders deserve credit for doing things like improving vaccination coverage," Gates, who now heads the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, told reporters during a conference call. Responding to a question on his impression about the situation of health and education, Gates recollected when he and his foundation started in Bihar and UP, vaccine coverage was below 40 per cent. This he said was causing hundreds of thousands of deaths that were not necessary. While a lot of good things have happened, he said, India had ...
Junior docs at BRD go on strike after 13 colleagues booked for allegedly beating up man
Health services at the BRD medical college were hit Monday as junior doctors went on an indefinite strike after 13of their colleagues were booked for allegedly beating up a man. A localresident, Shiv Kumar, had accused some junior doctors of beating him up on September 10. Junior doctors took strong exception to an FIR registered against 13 of their colleagues and proceeded on a strike. They shouted slogans outside the office of Principal Ganesh Kumar, demanding the charge of attempt to murder against their colleagues be dropped. They said such action would not only discourage doctors from discharging their duty but would also inculcate a sense of fear among them. Kumar requested them to return to duty in the interest of patients. Doctors were fearful after the action but our emergency services and outpatient departments continued to be functional to serve patients. We also spoke with the SSP and DM and presented our view, Kumar said. SHO Jaideep Rai said the 13 junior doctors were ...
Late-night use of gadgets leaves kids sleep-deprived: Study
Most parents believe that an excessive late night use of gadgets has significantly hampered the sleep patterns of their teenaged children, leading to poor academic performance, researchers warn.
Protests continue at Osmania General Hospital for new building
Osmania General Hospital Junior Doctors' Association on Monday continued to protest demanding the construction of a new building."The century-old in-patient building is in a dilapidated state, and the situation is no different in the Out Patient building," Dr P S Vijayender, Chairman, Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) said.Vijayender stated that Rs 200 crore was sanctioned in 2014 by the then Chief Minister, Kiran Kumar Reddy, for the construction of a new building. However, the funds were kept unused and got added to the next financial year's budget.In 2015, he said that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao visited the Osmania General Hospital and assured the construction of twin towers of ten-floors each for the hospital."We waited for two-years (till 2017) for a new building. As there was no response from the government, we decided to form the Osmania General Hospital - Joint Action Committee (OGH-JAC). JAC comprises of Telangana Government Doctors Association, Telangana ..